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LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVES
ON THE SA COP21 NEGOTIATION
POSITION
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON CLIMATE CHANGE CONVENED BY THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 22-23 SEPTEMBER 2015
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Objective of the presentation:
1. To reflect on the mandate and role of local government
2. To share the Organised Local Government perspective on
the SA Position
3. Local government roadmap for COP21
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1. The local government climate
response mandate
•
The national Climate Change Response White Paper
recognises local government as an important actor to
achieve climate change objectives.
•
Section 10.2.6 identifies the key constitutional mandates
of local government that are critical in developing our
national climate response:
•
•
•
•
Planning and urban development
Municipal infrastructure and services
Water, energy and waste demand management
Local disaster response
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Key municipal functions that support climate
change response efforts include:
•
Land-use planning & management
•
Water and sanitation services
•
Municipal health services
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Refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste disposal
•
Municipal parks and recreation
•
Air pollution
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Fire-fighting and disaster management
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Municipal roads and Storm water management systems
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Environmental management functions carried out in terms of NEMA (including
Coastal Management Act, Environmental Conservation Act, Protected Areas Act
& Biodiversity Act)
•
Electricity/energy (renewable energy and
4 energy efficiency)
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Climate change is a global issue however the impacts of changing weather patterns will be
felt locally and municipalities need to ensure that they can adapt to projected changes
Critical actions to reduce climate change and greenhouse gas emissions can best be
undertaken locally
Municipalities have an obligation to manage resources as efficiently as possible in the
interests of their citizens - not responding will cost more
Municipalities have important control and influence over:
Building
codes
Land use
planning
Urban parks
and
conservation
Water
Electricity
supply
Waste mngt
Transport
Air quality
mngt
Other
relevant
policy
areas
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2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating
position
•
•
South Africa’s national position in the Paris negotiations is informed on the following
principles:
–
To ensure that environmental and developmental imperatives are balanced;
–
To ensure that global emission reduction efforts are adequate to avert dangerous climate change
while respecting developing countries’ priorities for development and eradicating poverty
–
That in accordance to the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, and respective
capability, and equity – developed countries have an obligation to provide sufficient means of
implementation to support both adaptation and mitigation efforts by developing countries.
–
That adaptation and mitigation must receive equal priority, in accordance with South Africa’s
national policy framework and the National Development Plan; and further that adaptation is
recognised as a global priority.
–
South Africa subscribes to a multilateral rules based regime.
Summary of SA position: SA seeks:–
A legally binding agreement; with legal parity/ a balanced approach to mitigation & adaptation;
–
Enhanced ambition for mitigation to ensure that the world stays below 2o Celsius increase in
temperature
–
Enhanced finance, technology transfer and capacity building mechanism with added emphasis on
adaptation support for developing countries
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2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating
position
•
SALGA, on behalf of member municipalities supports the SA position – with the
provision that the position must be more reflective of subnational (local
government) and non-state actors position
•
The South African negotiating position is largely in keeping with the desired
outcomes that will be beneficial to local government in South Africa.
•
However, SALGA has observed that the position does not place even greater
emphasis on climate change adaptation and loss and damage; which are
critical considerations for municipalities and their vulnerabilities.
•
Municipalities face the most significant risk to infrastructure, particularly those
that will experience higher incidence of flooding. Socio-economic disparities in
many urban (peri-urban) and rural contexts also pose greater risks for
municipalities.
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2. LG perspective on SA Negotiating
position
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Local Government contribution to the negotiators mandate:
– Balanced attention and merit of initiatives to both mitigation and adaptation efforts
– Setting of country-specific mitigation targets (i.e. intended nationally determined
contributions) that are reflective of local government capabilities & contributions
– Increased financial contributions of developed countries to financing mechanism –
with added emphasis on accessibility of such facilities to sub-national and non-state
actors
– Adequate technology transfer mechanisms for developing countries, with financing
also extended to supporting research; concept/proposal development and meeting
reporting requirements
– A legally binding agreement for all parties – with enhanced means of implementation;
and with consideration of the current legislative vacuum and fiscal deficits in the
country, particularly for local government
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Overall, DEA should more clearly articulate and emphasise the role of cities and subnational (non-state actors).
– The position is silent on local government as a critical implementation lever
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3. Roadmap of engagement in
the build up to COP21
COP21/CMP11
National local
government climate
change Technical
Workshop (Durban,
15 October 2015)
SALGA Provincial
Members Assemblies
17 September – 12
November 2015
Mayoral PreCOP21
Conference
hosted by
Executive Mayor of
Tshwane
4 September 2015
ICLEI LOCS –
October 2015
Consolidating OLG
Position
AfriCities Convention
November 2015
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ICLEI Local
government
pavilion
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Concluding remarks
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Although local government has a representative on the negotiations team;
SALGA and its members are concerned with limited engagement of both the
designated official and the broader local government community; specifically
in the mandating platforms.
•
SALGA is appreciative of the opportunity and platform afforded by the INDC
consultations roadshow in the provinces and is in the process of preparing a
written submission of comments on the INDC discussion document; however,
the consultations only involved local government in a cursory manner and
SALGA appeals for more targeted and thorough engagement in future.
•
Local government partners, including SALGA; ICLEI and the SA Cities
Network represent the diversity and complexities of local climate change
responses; and offer an avenue for a consolidated approach to taking on
board municipal experiences, contributions and aspirations.
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THANK YOU!
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